If you've been raised up in the "Church," you may remember those Precious Moments pictures or flannel-graphs of Noah's "cutesy-patootsie" ark with animals sticking out on the sides and top. They're floating on a nice and serene sea, sometimes with rain, and nary a scared look on those cartoon faces. I especially appreciate the nonsensical comments of doubters, as thought they're putting the final nail in scripture's coffin:

The Unanswerable...

"We know there are over 8 million different species of animals in the world. You expect us to believe all these were on one boat?! It's ridiculous!"

"Elephants and giraffes are huge! They would take a whole lot of space--and food--to keep alive. The space wouldn't allow for all the animals."

"A world-wide flood isn't even possible! Wouldn't there be some evidence of that? Some mountains are too high to allow for easy breathing if waters rose a good 20+ feet above the highest peaks."

"What about how all of these animals got to the ark? What about their reproduction? What about the feeding and care of the animals? What about the feeding of Noah and his family?

Misses, however...

Nope. Marine animals wouldn't be in the boat. If there are 30+ species in the dog family (canidae) it is likely only one pair with the genetic material for future breeds and species was needed.

The ark dimensions were about 450 ft. L, 75 ft. W, and 45ft. H. That's a lot of space. And were these animals full-grown? Hmmm...So, we're assuming the world looked then like it does now? Why? If this cataclysmic flood occurred, would we see deep valleys, plate tectonics forcing peaks higher and higher, and marine life fossilized in those rocky crags? Hey, what about buried animals preserved in layers of earth, remarkably detailed remains of feathers, flesh, and bone? Is that even possible through normal death processes? Where would all that water go, in a world now 71% covered with water, to say nothing of the clouds...?

What about the supernatural nature of the event? What if we stopped trying to rationalize away God's divine judgment with naturalistic explanations? What if God actually planned to continue with Noah and his family again, and the animals saved, again? These questions are schizophrenic in hypothetically "supposing" a flood from God, removing God from the equation and planning, and then putting Him back in later to say how ridiculous it would be under such naturalistic conditions.

Pain: The Sure & The Skeptic

Such caricatures of scripture are not new, and certainly not helpful. But they're easy, which is why I suppose they're so readily passed around. I can almost see the rushing throngs of "both" sides of the Noah issue. For issues of simplicity, I'll just separate us into Christians and those of any other persuasion. The 2014 movie, NOAH, has already experienced a firestorm of media attention. Early viewings have led to a strange mix of intense opinions or shoulder-shrugging indifference. I did have the pleasure of reading one Christian's level-handed weighing of the pros and cons of the film. At the risk of "giving away the ending," this article is much like that. I think that regardless of where you stand regarding this film, there is some pain involved. First...

The Sure

Christians will, and should, be aware from the beginning that this take on a biblically significant event from the Bible is, well... unbiblical. There will be some familiar elements albeit wrapped in artistic embellishment. One should also remember that any story is inseparably connected to the worldview of the storyteller. As the director is an atheist, there should be little doubt that he has no problem playing fast and loose with a story he doesn't believe is factual in the first place. Couple that with the reality that many professing Christians are likewise liable to call it myth or fable, and we needn't go to this two-hour epic with doe-eyed innocence. Some will decide not to see the movie on those grounds; others will, either from curiosity or some other motive. None of us should use our opinion in the matter to Jesus-juke another believer.

The Skeptic

For those who are unfamiliar with the particulars of the story of Noah, this film may be more fodder for their skeptical positions. I find that in skeptical circles, one cannot be bothered by the particulars of things like facts and details. Ad hominem and Much like self-fulfilling prophecy, I can see these returning home after the film, reading the biblical account (which can be found in Genesis 6:1-9:17), and fitting the film's details in between the "unspoken cracks." They are free to do so, and this film will provide them that opportunity. Between the biblical embellishments and social issues hype, the truth is that this film is loosely based on the events of Noah from the Bible--it's not a retelling a la Son of God or Passion of The Christ. However, those who go to Hollywood for their biblical facts would better be served going to YouTube or Wikipedia for their searches in truth, and that's not saying much.

Would You Go?

No matter what you choose--to go, or not to go--someone is likely to react poorly. If you go, some Christians may cry foul and ask why you would support or endorse a film like this by paying for a ticket. If you don't go, non-Christians may cry out that not even Christians will support Hollywood's attempts to put out movies of biblical proportions. Would it be true? No, not exactly. The issue is the unbiblical nature of this based-on-the-Bible-story story.

But again, the non-Christian will not think in those terms, necessarily. They may only see an opportunity for Christians to come out... and they don't.

Does going to a movie like this, despite the glaring untruths, show Hollywood that there is a market in the USA for faith-based movies? Maybe, I don't know.

Would Christians engaging the culture on its own turf, bringing the truth of God's Word to bear on the world's lies, open the flood gates for even more opportunities for faith-based, big budget movies that share the truth? Maybe, I don't know.

But I'm willing to bet that money speaks louder to a hardened heart than the truth of scripture. Paul says by the Spirit, in 1 Corinthians 2:14, that the hardened heart cannot even hope to understand what the Spirit of God says because they're only discerned by the Spirit. Paul used the Athenian culture to segue into eternally significant conversation. We have the same opportunity, whether we choose to see NOAH or not.

So the question is whether or not I (or you) will go see it. Maybe, I don't know.

But may my decision be guided by the Spirit of God and what He desires to do in and through me, rather than the fear of men. And may yours as well.

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I write to remember the lessons I learn as a Man, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Pastor, and Friend. As I come to grips with the blackness within me, I am more appreciative of God's grace-filled grip. We all change in the seasons of life. This is my deep well...